one father’s struggle with maintaining belief in the jolly old elf

BJ Hollars, illustrated by Serena Wagner

There comes a time in every Santa-believer’s life when that believing hits a snag. Often the seeds of doubt are planted by way of schoolyard bullies, or dream-shattering friends, or one’s own late night sneak from a bedroom to catch a parent in the act ...

colorful correspondence between area folks and the big, bearded guy

Eric Rasmussen

"Did you know that in some of these fancy new hotels I can charge my phone right from the nightstand? That’s unbelievable. The days of moving the dresser and having to unplug a lamp are long gone. ..."

road rally TV series will come to Eau Claire next fall

Tom Giffey

A TV adventure series in which participants race from city to city across the American landscape in a “2,000-mile, life-sized trivia game” will begin its next season by highlighting the city of Eau Claire ...

fundraiser for veterans puts awesome ‘dos on the runway

Hannah Mumm

Local hairstylists Amanda Jonas and Coli Burke combine creativity and charity in the second annual Hairica show: Hairica: Unlit. Part hair show, part dinner party, and part fundraiser, Hairica is the only event ...

Many people think of their pets as furry little children. When they can’t come up with enough cash to feed Fido, it’s devastating. And pet owners usually can’t just pick up a can of Purina at their local food pantry ...

Eau Claire Global Market will boost multitude of international projects

by Bonni Knight

Fifty years ago, Ginny Close was assigned to a small village in Turkey as a Peace Corps volunteer. She recalls being struck by the beautiful tatting (lace-making) the women in her village were doing ...

UW-Eau Claire is celebrating its centennial this fall, and you’re invited

V1 Staff

In case the name of the newish Centennial Hall and the presence of a giant “1916” sign in the middle of campus didn’t tip you off, UW-Eau Claire had a big birthday coming up. The university turns 100 this year, and several celebrations will mark the historic occasion ...

higher education isn’t about memorizing the right facts – it’s about learning how to learn

find the serenity you need to blast through your schoolwork with these academic alcoves

Hailey Novak

Cramming. Hitting the books. Putting your nose to the grindstone. Whatever you call studying, it’s something every college student is familiar with. Whether you treat it like a part-time job or try learning everything an hour before the big test ...

valley volunteers drawn to help in beautiful, troubled island nation

by Bonni Knight

When I saw Tina Fern-Denzer last month in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, she was grinning from ear to ear. She had been on the ground for less than two hours after a long day of travel from Woodville, Wisconsin ...

A bunch of trivia websites claim you can do just that. We found out the truth.

Tom Giffey, photos by Andrea Paulseth

While researching Wisconsin wedding laws (and by “researching” I mean “googling”) a year ago, I kept running across one of those “unbelievable but true” factoids that I decided was truly unbelievable. Reproduced on numerous websites ...

as she prepares for her fast-approaching wedding, Renee gives new brides tips for minimum stress

photos by Randy Lee

If you could just pay attention for one minute here and remove the god-forsaken glue gun from your hand (the wedding favors can wait), I want to give you all a written hug. This wedding planning stuff is for the birds ... unless you actually like it – then feel free to go back to Pinterest. This letter isn’t for you.

civil rights trio will open UWEC’s season of Forums

Tom Giffey

As daily headlines demonstrate, the movement for civil rights and justice in the world has not been consigned for the history books. It’s a long-term struggle that requires the participation, in large and small ways, of countless human beings – starting with you. I Am the Change is the theme ...

Jennifer Hoffman has been in love with rabbits ever since she got one as a pet while stationed in Hawaii with the Army 17 years ago. Seeking a small household companion that wasn’t a cat (she’s allergic), she found a bunny in a pet store. “It was love at first sight,” she explains. Her first rabbit ...

voyaging vet service comes right to pet owners' doors

Tom Giffey

When pet owners need to get shots or other medical treatments for Fido or Fluffy, their options are usually limited to squeezing angry, anxious furballs into carriers and listening to them howl and yowl all the way to the veterinary office and back. The experience can be unpleasant for animals and humans alike. But what if – like the fabled ...

the canine components of Mayo’s Paws Force help stressed patients, family members, and caregivers

Barbara Arnold

Bella and Teddy, two little white fido furballs of fun, and their owners have experienced firsthand the benefits of pet therapy – for patient, pet, and volunteer – at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire. More pets and volunteers are needed now that Mayo’s Paws Force program is expanding to Mayo’s Barron, Bloomer, Menomonie ...

air show shenanigans include a jet engine in a truck

Mike Seitz

What’s that in the sky? It’s a bird … It’s a Blugold … nope! It’s the 2015 Chippewa Valley Air Show! The show takes flight at the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport on July 4 and 5 with a first class (heyo!) line up of performers. Among the performers will be none other than the Blue Angels, with their stunning twists and flips. Making up a total 16 ...